Dr. Najarian’s Story

“Even during Covid, Dr. Härtl was available. June 2020, I was in and out, in a 5-hour surgery,” says Najarian. “I was out the next day and on my way to recovery.”

Louis NajarianDr. Louis Najarian, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Northwell Health, found that his back pain was interfering with his everyday life, including his ability to work. Najarian knew it was time for a change, and friend and fellow physician Dr. Anthony Tortolani at NewYork Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist recommended that Najarian visit the experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine.

As a child psychiatrist, Najarian’s job involved a physical hands-on role with his young patients. Unfortunately, his increasing back pain had begun to limit him from work tasks, such as sitting on the floor and interacting with his young patients.

“Before the surgery, I couldn’t walk more than 10 meters,” says Najarian. “I was not able to engage in my usual activities. I knew I had to do something.”

Upon visiting NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine, Najarian was treated by Dr. Roger Härtl, Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of Spinal Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center in New York, and the Director of the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care. Dr. Härtl specializes in both simple and complex spine surgeries and is a world leader in minimally invasive spinal surgeries.

Dr. Härtl diagnosed Najarian with severe lumbar stenosis at L4/5 below his previous fusion at L3/4. Not long after the diagnosis, Najarian underwent revision surgery with decompression at L4, L5, and S1 and an extension of the fusion from L3 down to S1.

“Even during Covid, Dr. Härtl was available. June 2020, I was in and out, in a 5-hour surgery,” says Najarian. “I was out the next day and on my way to recovery.”

After surgery, Najarian wore a lumbar brace for 6 weeks, and then began 6 weeks of physical therapy. Now, nearly a year out of the surgery, Najarian can feel a difference every day.

“Dr. Najarian had a challenging new problem with severe pain after having undergone previous spine surgery,” says Dr. Härtl. “He is a force of nature professionally and socially And I was happy I was able to offer him a less Invasive solution that allowed him to recover quickly and get back to his normal life. I am happy that his pain resolved and he is back taking care of his patients who are young and who need him.”

Najarian credits his recovery to the care he received at NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine and Dr. Härtl.

“I strongly recommend that individuals experiencing back pain go to see Dr. Roger Härtl at NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine. He’s professional, he’s quick, effective, and responsive, and my experience was very successful.”

Och Spine 2021 Patient Story - Dr. Louis Najarian

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